Will plays the title role of Hancock, a deadbeat super hero who's attitude is . . . antisocial, and whose methods are . . . well, he owes a lot in property damages.

By TERRENCE SMITH Holy Cross College

John Hancock: Politician, Founding Father, Super Hero!

Well, sort of.

Terrence Smith

If you're looking for a decent super hero flick, but do not like the "Hulk," "Iron Man" or "Hellboy", then Will Smith's latest movie, "Hancock" (PG-13), is the last option you've got.

Just plan on leaving the theater chuckling a little bit.

Will plays the title role of Hancock, a deadbeat super hero who's attitude is . . . antisocial, and whose methods are . . . well, he owes a lot in property damages.

Here, we cue Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), a husband, father, and not to mention an optimistic, albeit naive, image consultant.

He's trying to save the world in a more grounded sort of way, first through trying to convince corporate businessmen to give away a life-saving drug to third-world citizens for free, and now in helping Hancock, who saved his life, overcome his demons, and take on a new attitude adjustment.

Even with these demons, such as flying under the influence, Hancock is essentially a nice guy.

This kind of makes him an Everyman to whom we can all relate.

His adventures, contradictory to what the trailers suggest, are more comedy than suspense.

Everyone is familiar with his infamous beach incident, in which he swings a beached whale back into the ocean, not taking great care to avoid hitting a sailboat.

When a grade-school bully disrespects him, he tosses her practically into the stratosphere, just to teach her a lesson. One last lesson learned in the film is to never, ever, call him a particular word.

Halfway through the film, things start going downhill.

Right after Hancock starts turning into a new man, he suddenly bombards the viewer with a blitzkrieg of information surrounding his past, such as the fact that he's well over 80 years old, he doesn't age, and he doesn't remember who he is. He just happened to wake up with super powers years ago.

Also, some effects are convincing, while others don't seem to pass at all. And half the time, it's nearly impossible to know what Hancock is thinking when you look at him.

"Hancock" definitely has its flaws, and yet, in spite of this, it just falls shy of being something great.

After I saw this one, I wanted to see it again, but it wasn't worth $6. The smartest way to enjoy this movie would be to rent it at the Red Box, and maybe watch it again when it shows up on Fox and TBS.

Veteran UNlisted board member Terrence Smith graduated this spring from Holyoke High School. He will be a freshman this fall at Holy Cross College in Worcester.